as in watch
an act or period of watching for signs of activity, danger, or opportunity
kept vigil at their ailing son's bedside the entire time he was in the hospital
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Recent Examples of vigil
Both Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Mohammad Khatami condemned the terrorist attacks, and Iranians held candlelit vigils in the streets of major cities and observed moments of silence in soccer stadiums.
—
Vali Nasr, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025
For the first time since the organization began the vigil, the number of unsolved homicides in the Kansas City metro decreased, director of public relations and co-founder of Corey’s Network, Michelle Norris, said.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2025
Church leaders previously clarified this stance regarding a pro-LGBT Catholic group that received approval for a prayer vigil in 2024.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 14 Aug. 2025
Hundreds of people packed at the Fred Samuel Playground on Lenox Ave. near 139th St. on Monday to attend a balloon release vigil for the neighborhood basketball phenom.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vigil
Vali Nasr, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025
For the first time since the organization began the vigil, the number of unsolved homicides in the Kansas City metro decreased, director of public relations and co-founder of Corey’s Network, Michelle Norris, said.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2025
Church leaders previously clarified this stance regarding a pro-LGBT Catholic group that received approval for a prayer vigil in 2024.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 14 Aug. 2025
Hundreds of people packed at the Fred Samuel Playground on Lenox Ave. near 139th St. on Monday to attend a balloon release vigil for the neighborhood basketball phenom.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vigil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigil
Noun
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Republican Governor Tate Reeves speaks with supporters during an election night watch party at the Refuge Hotel & Conference Center in Flowood, Mississippi, on November 7, 2023.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025
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The weather service issues a flash flood watch when flash flooding is possible.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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May 13: Chandler Police file search warrant applications for surveillance video from two outdoor cameras in the backyard of the Kiser's home.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
29 Aug. 2025
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Le, who was working toward a PhD in pharmacology, was last seen on surveillance video entering a research building on the university’s sprawling New Haven, Conn., campus, but was never seen leaving.—
KC Baker,
People.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vigil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vigil. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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